In October 2013, DisplaySearch analyst David Hsieh first revealed that Apple would be introducing a 12" Retina MacBook Air in 2014. The report was quickly corroborated by the reliable Ming-Chi Kuo.

It wasn't entirely clear at the time why Apple would choose to introduce a new 12" screen model, when their current lineup of MacBook Airs and Pros come in 11", 13", and 15" screen sizes.

Analyst Daniel Matte, however, lays out a convincing argument at his new blog on why Apple would choose that size. Matte believes that the new Retina MacBook Air will be exactly 11.88" in diagonal screen size, as that would allow Apple to offer a Retina Display (2732 x 1536, twice 1366x768) with the exact same PPI as the iPad Air (264 PPI). The full analysis is worth reading.

Quote:

It would make sense for Apple to take advantage of the same display technology it has been utilizing for the 9.7" iPads by cutting their panels to this larger size.

Apple is quite deliberate in choosing screen sizes for their new products.

The earliest supply chain rumors of the iPad mini included the specific screen size of 7.9 inches. The reason for that particular size later became apparent as it similarly allowed Apple to use the exact same PPI displays that were used in original iPhone and iPod touch.

The main discrepancy in Matte's argument is that the original DisplaySearch report predicted a lower resolution (2304 x 1440). Also, in the past, we'd heard very specific display sizes from Apple's supply chain, such as the 7.9" iPad mini display rather than 8" iPad mini display. In this case, the early reports (so far) have been at 12-inches.

Still, the new Retina MacBook Air is not expected until mid-2014, so we should start hearing more as production starts ramping up.

But then what would happen with the 11- and 13-inch models currently available? Apple's been slowly phasing out the non-retina MBP models (only 1 left now, I believe), but they had the same screen-sizes.

But then what would happen with the 11- and 13-inch models currently available? Apple's been slowly phasing out the non-retina MBP models (only 1 left now, I believe), but they had the same screen-sizes.

Seems like a One-size fits all to me....IF they can make the price reasonable.

I don't get the logic here. Why would it matter for a laptop what the exact PPI are? Isn't the whole point of a retina display that you can't distinguish pixels and they scale screen elements to whatever you want?

Also, I don't think apple would make a small technical detail the main point in what screen size they offer. They would clearly base this decision on customer demand and user experience. Only then they would choose the technology they need to produce the laptops.

I don't get the logic here. Why would it matter for a laptop what the exact PPI are? Isn't the whole point of a retina display that you can't distinguish pixels and they scale screen elements to whatever you want?

Also, I don't think apple would make a small technical detail the main point in what screen size they offer. They would clearly base this decision on customer demand and user experience. Only then they would choose the technology they need to produce the laptops.

Because they are already producing massive quantities of sheets of this DPI screen. They get the benefits of scale by using the same production lines. That means a more affordable Retina MacBook Air.

If that is the case glad I got my MBA 13" when I did.. the battery life on that thing is incredible and no matter what Apple does, adding a battery hogging retina display will no doubt reduce it significantly, this is the reason that I decided against a macbook pro.

How about a 15" MB Air so ppl can actually use the thing? Every time I pick an 11" model in the Apple Store, I simply can't imagine attempting to use it as anything more than a portable movie player. I know a lot of users - myself included - for whom the only drawback of the 13" MBA is a dearth of screen real estate. You can design on a 15" screen if you really want to, but losing those last two inches make it challenging to fit in all the tool palates. (I rock a 17" now and sometimes even that's not enough.) Of course we don't need MB's in every size and configuration, but I'm nearly positive that 15" MBA would find a greater market that an 11" or 12", even with a retina display. Hear my prayers, Apple. Hear them and be benevolent!

I don't get the logic here. Why would it matter for a laptop what the exact PPI are? Isn't the whole point of a retina display that you can't distinguish pixels and they scale screen elements to whatever you want?

Also, I don't think apple would make a small technical detail the main point in what screen size they offer. They would clearly base this decision on customer demand and user experience. Only then they would choose the technology they need to produce the laptops.

Apple brags about the small technical details. "It's 7.9! The big one is 9.7, just so it's easy to remember!"

But then what would happen with the 11- and 13-inch models currently available? Apple's been slowly phasing out the non-retina MBP models (only 1 left now, I believe), but they had the same screen-sizes.

My logical guess, and it's just a guess, no scientific or imperical evidence here.... Just pure opinion... Is that those will be discontinued.

I'm going to be very sad if 11.8" is the only MBA size. I have a 13" now and it's a bit small for what I like to do with it. But I don't want the weight, expense, and decreased battery life of a larger MacBook pro either. A 14"-ish retina MacBook Air would be fantastic. Even if the PPI is slightly lower.

Because they are already producing massive quantities of sheets of this DPI screen. They get the benefits of scale by using the same production lines. That means a more affordable Retina MacBook Air.

arn

You really think that would drive the product strategy? Don't get me wrong, I would love to see this size of an MBA an likely buy one anyway. However I'm not sure if they might not lose a lot of customers who want the 13 inch MBA. I see ton's of them out there and the users are usually pretty clear that they want this size, not the 11.6" MBA.

If that is the case glad I got my MBA 13" when I did.. the battery life on that thing is incredible and no matter what Apple does, adding a battery hogging retina display will no doubt reduce it significantly, this is the reason that I decided against a macbook pro.

The 13" MBP lasts about 9 hours on a charge through normal usage. On a guess, I'd say a retina Air would probably get around 11 or so.

No, it's not as good as the 12-14 hours you get on the current Air, but I think the tradeoff for having a higher resolution screen would be worth it.

Regardless of whether it is technically feasible to add a higher resolution display, it doesn't make sense from a business perspective. Let's not forget that the Retina display is one of the main USPs of the MacBook Pro, so why would Apple let it go to a cheaper product?

The current resolution of the MacBook Airs are certainly not a problem. These are consumer notebooks, afterall.

Because they are already producing massive quantities of sheets of this DPI screen. They get the benefits of scale by using the same production lines. That means a more affordable Retina MacBook Air.

arn

1) If they use either panel in the 13" or 15" MBPs they could also benefit from economics of scale. Wouldn't it also be less expensive to use, say, the 15" MBPs 220 PPI sheets for a 12" MBA instead of the 264 PPI of the iPad, which seems to already sell in such high quantities that economics of scale has likely plateaued.

2) Using 264 PPI is closer to doubling the resolution of the 11" and 13" MBAs but is that really necessary for a windowed OS once you get past 200 PPI? For UI elements I'd say so, even as we move into Retina where you could place the display closer to your eyes.